- whistle
- whistle [hwis′əl, wis′əl]vi.whistled, whistling [ME whistlen < OE hwistlian: for IE base see WHISPER]1.a) to make a clear, shrill sound or note, or a series of these, by forcing breath between the teeth or through a narrow opening made by puckering the lipsb) to make a similar sound by sending steam through a small opening2. to make a clear, shrill cry: said of some birds and animals3. to move, pass, go, etc. with a high, shrill sound, as the wind4.a) to blow a whistleb) to have its whistle blown [the train whistled]vt.1. to produce (a tune, etc.) by whistling2. to summon, signal, direct, etc. by whistlingn.1. an instrument for making whistling sounds, as by forcing the breath or steam through a slit into a cavity or against a thin edge2. a clear, shrill sound made by whistling or blowing a whistle3. the act of whistling4. a signal, summons, etc. made by whistling5. a whistling sound, as of the wind——————blow the whistle on or blow the whistle Slang1. to report or inform (on)2. to cause to stop; call a halt (to)——————wet one's whistleSlang to take a drink——————whistle forto seek, expect, or demand but fail to get——————☆ whistle in the darkto pretend to be confident when faced with danger or defeatwhistleableadj.
English World dictionary. V. Neufeldt. 2014.